Electric vehicles (EVs) are rapidly gaining popularity as eco-conscious consumers seek cleaner and more sustainable transportation options. While EV technology has made significant advancements, one concern often raised by potential buyers is the range anxiety – the fear of running out of battery power before reaching a destination. However, by adopting smart driving habits and leveraging various techniques, you can maximise the range of your electric car. In this blog, we’ll explore tips and tricks to help you get the most out of your EV.
Understanding Electric Car Range
Before delving into the tips, it’s crucial to understand how an electric car’s range is determined. Several factors influence the range of an EV, including:
- Battery Capacity: The size and capacity of your car’s battery pack significantly impact its range. Larger batteries generally offer more extended ranges.
- Driving Habits: Your driving style and habits play a crucial role. Aggressive acceleration, high speeds, and frequent stops can drain the battery faster.
- Terrain: Hilly or mountainous terrain can reduce range due to increased energy consumption during climbs.
- Climate: Extreme temperatures, both hot and cold, affect battery performance. Using heating or air conditioning can reduce range.
- Accessories: Using power-hungry accessories like headlights, heated seats, and infotainment systems can impact range.
- Tyre Pressure: Underinflated tyres increase rolling resistance, leading to decreased efficiency and range.
Tips and Tricks to Maximise Range
Now, let’s explore actionable strategies to maximise the range of your electric car:
- Drive Efficiently
- Smooth Acceleration: Avoid rapid acceleration and hard braking. Gradual and smooth inputs are more energy-efficient.
- Maintain a Steady Speed: Highway driving at a constant speed is generally more efficient than stop-and-go traffic.
- Use Regenerative Braking: Many EVs offer regenerative braking systems that convert kinetic energy back into electricity when you brake. Utilise this feature to extend range.
- Manage Climate Control
- Preconditioning: If your EV has a mobile app, use it to precondition the cabin while the car is still plugged in. This allows you to cool or heat the interior while the car is drawing power from the grid, conserving battery charge.
- Cabin Temperature: Set the cabin temperature to a comfortable but not excessive level to reduce the energy needed for heating or cooling.
- Optimise Route Planning
- Plan Charging Stops: Before embarking on long journeys, plan your route to include charging stops at convenient locations. Use EV route-planning apps to find charging stations along the way.
- Avoid Hills: When possible, choose routes with fewer hills and steep inclines to reduce energy consumption. We know that this one is easier said than done!
- Minimise Accessory Use
- Lights: Use exterior lights only when necessary. LED lights are more energy-efficient than traditional bulbs.
- Infotainment: Limit the use of infotainment systems and other accessories when not needed.
- Maintain Tyre Pressure
- Regularly check and maintain proper tyre pressure according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Underinflated tyres increase rolling resistance and decrease range. We will help with this, call in any time for a tyre check.
- Avoid Overloading
- Remove unnecessary items from your car to reduce weight. Overloading can decrease efficiency and range.
- Choose Eco Mode
- Many EVs offer an Eco mode that adjusts power output and other settings for maximum efficiency. Activate this mode when range is a priority.
- Battery Management
- Avoid Extreme Temperatures: Whenever possible, park your car in a shaded area during hot weather to reduce the load on the air conditioning system. In cold weather, precondition the battery while it’s still plugged in.
- Keep Battery Charged: Maintaining an optimal state of charge, typically between 20% and 80%, can help prolong battery life and maintain consistent range.
- Use Public Charging
- When embarking on a long journey, consider using public charging stations rather than relying solely on home charging. High-speed chargers can replenish your battery quickly.
- Stay Informed
- Keep an eye on your car’s energy consumption data and range estimates. Understanding how your driving habits affect range can help you make adjustments.
Maximising the range of your electric car is entirely achievable by adopting energy-efficient driving habits and leveraging the features and tools available in modern EVs. With these tips and tricks, you can confidently enjoy longer journeys in your electric vehicle while contributing to a cleaner and more sustainable future of transportation. As technology continues to evolve, the range of electric cars will likely improve, making them an even more attractive choice for environmentally conscious drivers.
As East Anglia’s largest tyre company, Treadfirst offers a range of services to vehicles of all types. With branches across the region, our team provides car servicing and repairs, MOT tests, tyre fitting and more. For more information on what we do, get in touch now.
